Substance Abuse: Family is Key Player in Prevention

Just as you inoculate your children against disease, you can protect them against drug use by recognizing that your kids are at risk and taking steps to make a real difference.

Sooner or later, your children will face the decision whether or not to use alcohol or drugs. There is no escaping it. Although it's ultimately their decision, you can ensure they have all the durgs and alcohol facts and know the dangers--health and social--of experimenting with drugs.

Here's the bad news: Young people continue to rank drug substance abuse as the most significant problem they are facing today. The good news: Studies have shown that children who are taught what are dangers and risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to try drugs than are kids who learn nothing at home.

Family involvement can play a vital role in steering a child away from experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and education is our first line of defense. Here are some simple things families can do:

Start Talking About Drug and Alcohol Dangers Early

Discussions about these issues should begin in early childhood, long before children have even considered trying substances.

Look for Teachable Moments

When you watch TV with your child and you see someone drinking, talk about the dangers of alcohol. If you see reports, anti-drug commercials or news about drugs, use this opportunity to introduce the subject in an unforced way.

Create Strong Family Bonds and Establish Teenage Discipline

Many kids think that drug and alcohol use is just a rite of passage. Tell your child that though casual drug use may offer relief from the pressures of growing up, it will interfere with the necessary growing pains that everyone must experience to become a mature person. Causing everything from social withdrawal to decreased motivation, drug use can make the process of growing up more difficult. Warn them that drug use is off limits and subject to consequences.

Build Self-Esteem

At every opportunity offer praise for accomplishments and instill good values. Early on convince them their lives are too precious to take risks.

Be Well Informed about Drugs and Alcohol Effects

Have the answers you need when the time comes for children to ask questions about drugs and alcohol. Give the facts. Tell them they can never trust the quality of the drugs or know how they will react to them. Tell them alcohol and drugs can poison and kill.

Set a Good Example of Resisting Alcohol and Drug Substance Abuse

Remember children will do as they see, rather than do as we say. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses setting a good example by limiting our own use of alcohol and medications. If you do use alcohol, keep it at moderate levels and make it clear to your youngster that you're not using alcohol to cope with your problems.

What Are Values? Make Sure Your Kids Know Yours

This gives your children a set of guidelines to help them make better decisions. It might sound pat, but talk with your child often about what is relevant in his or her life.

Practice Makes Perfect: Role Play Peer Pressure Teens Might Encounter

Role-play ways to get out of tough situations. Practice how to make independent judgments, in spite of what peers are doing or saying.

Pay Attention to Your Kids' Activities

Don't be afraid to ask your kids where they are going, who they'll be with and what they will be doing.

Keep Them Busy and Having Fun

Remind your kids that there are other ways to manage strong feelings without turning to drugs or alcohol. Encourage them to develop hobbies or get involved in school clubs, sports and church activities. Youth who are involved with extracurricular activities are less likely to experiment with substances. Support your youngster in the discovery that he or she can have lots of fun-and get "high" -- without the use of substances.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

You can't eliminate your children's curiosity about drugs and alcohol, and you can't completely protect them from the social pressures to experiment. Still, leaving children to work it all out on their own is unwise. For many children, just knowing their parents care is a major deterrent.

Protect Teenagers: Drugs and Alcohol Are Real Dangers

The reality is that despite our best efforts, some children do decide to use and may become dependent on drugs. But there are factors that can protect against substance abuse, and you can start them today. How you deal with the issue will have a lasting impact on your child's future.

 

Dawn Marie Barhyte is a former teacher and freelance writer in Warwick, New York.